India added world’s second largest PV capacity in first half of 2018
The nation installed 4.9 GW of solar, surpassing the USA – which installed 4.7 GW – to become the second largest solar market in the first half of the year, second only to China’s 24.3 GW.
Gujarat will soon tender 250 MW solar+storage capacity
Saurabhbhai Patel, Minister of Energy, Government of Gujarat, has announced that the state will soon issue a 250 MW grid-connected solar tender linked with storage. He also said that Gujarat will add more than 5 GW of new PV capacity in the next three years.
PM Modi: 40% electricity generation from non-fossils by 2030, up to $80 billion for PV manufacturing
India’s Prime Minister kick started the first Assembly of the ISA, the second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting, and the 2nd Global RE-Invest yesterday in Greater Noida. The agenda of the day? Universal access to solar energy at affordable rates; securing 40% of India’s electricity generation from non-fossil fuels by 2030, and allocating up to US$80 billion to boost domestic PV manufacturing.
Tamil Nadu targets 400% jump in solar capacity by 2022
The state government is proposing a range of incentives and mandates to drive PV and solar thermal installations to almost 9 GW within four years. Under the proposed policy, 10% of the public fleet would be replaced by electric vehicles.
EESL chosen to manage 5 lakh solar water pump program
The International Solar Alliance has selected India’s Super Energy Service Company to roll out its agricultural solar initiative across 13 nations. Almost a third of India’s three crore of agricultural pumps are currently powered by diesel.
pv magazine Quality Roundtable, REI: Innovation, investment and improving PV installs
pv magazine’s Quality Roundtable at the 2018 Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo, took place in front of a packed audience. It discussed current problem areas; how solar developers and solution providers can improve the quality of Indian solar PV installations; and innovative financial instruments to reduce the cost of debt and scale up infrastructure investment.
PV installations in Q2 fall by half
In the second quarter, India installed solar projects amounting to 52% less capacity quarter-over-quarter, due to uncertainties around trade cases, module price fluctuations, and PPA renegotiations prompted by record low solar tender bids.
Funding the key obstacle to renewables in Asia
Banks categorize renewable energy projects as risky and believe they offer lower rates of return than fossil fuel schemes, making them reluctant lenders.
33 MW rooftop tender a first for India
With more than 550 rooftops identified to save installation time and costs, the scheme will be divided into 27 project groups backed by the Madhya Pradesh and federal governments. PPA agreements are already in place.
Global off-grid renewable capacity tripled between 2008 and 2017
While Africa has emerged as a dynamic, fast-moving hub, Asia leads in capacity deployment with its total capacity more than tripling to nearly 4.3 GW in 2017 from 1.3 GW in 2008, finds IRENA. Particularly, in India, a strong policy has pushed deployment of off-grid solar for agriculture and public end-uses.
